Engage: Show the students two items of varying materials and explain that today we are going to be learning about water absorption and how different objects interact with water.

Explore: Lay out two items from the two materials chosen and two cups of water. Ask the students what they think will happen when the materials are placed in the cups of water. Encourage them to really think through their answers and explain why they think that answer.

Explain: Explain to the students that the materials interact with water differently. Explain that the materials can be classified according to their level of water absorption. Teach the students that some materials absorb water, while others do not.

Extend: Have the students work together in teams of two to test different materials and determine their level of water absorption. Tell the students to record their findings on chart paper or in a journal.

Evaluate: Have the students compare their results with the rest of the class. Discuss the differences in their observations and determine which materials are best for certain situations and why.